GOODWELL, Okla. — The Oklahoma Panhandle State women's basketball team (3-2) outscored the visiting Dallas Christian Crusaders (3-2) 40-22 in the first half Wednesday afternoon on its way to a 73-61 home win.
 
In a positive change from the previous two home games, the Aggies started fast by knocking down 10-of-17 shots in the first quarter, including three treys.
 
Mar'kia Pratt led all players with nine points through the opening period, and OPSU led 24-11 after one.
 
Tryssa Dowd had a pair of blocks during the first 10 minutes of action, helping lead a focused Panhandle State defense that dictated the game's tempo. OPSU limited DCC to just 7-of-26 accuracy from the field in the first half as the home team's lead ballooned to 18 by halftime.
 
La'Tommas Johnson-Nash scored the opening point of the third quarter to make it 41-22, Aggies, but the Crusaders were the aggressors for much of the remainder of the frame. Dallas Christian trimmed the deficit to 11 late in the third, 49-38, with increased defensive pressure and shot-making.
 
Panhandle State answered using an energy boost from Zamari Reece, who scored and assisted before the end of the period to bring the Aggies ahead 55-39 going into the fourth quarter.
 
Pratt found her stroke again early in the final frame, and the party was on for OPSU and the "Elementary Day" crowd as the Aggie advantage soon extended to 26 with a host of positive contributions from the reserves.
 
15 Crusader points in the final 2:30 of action made the afternoon's outcome appear closer than it was, as OPSU closed its nonconference schedule for the time being with a resounding victory.
 
The Aggies, who outshot the Crusaders 43.3% to 29.5%, made six more three-pointers than the visitors. Another major factor in the win was Panhandle State's dominance on the glass (46-34 rebounding advantage) that generated 22 second-chance points compared to just 10 for DCC.
 
Pratt had a game-high 15 points, while Dowd and Reece chipped in 14 and 11, respectively. Dowd was one rebound shy of a double-double to lead all players on the day in boards.
 
Reece closed with five assists, helping 12 Aggies get into the scoring column. Heidi Rodriguez' eight points, including two three-pointers, gave OPSU the biggest individual lift off the bench, while Gaby Uribe, Tessa Kile and Serenity Casteel each also connected on triples.
 
What's up next: OPSU begins SAC play on Nov. 20 with a trip to College of the Ozarks (1-1). Tipoff for the conference opener is set for 6 p.m.